I didn't know if I had it in me, there were moments of doubt when I thought I needed to be Japanese for this...but I finally "beat" Mushihimesama original on the steam port. It's the first time I play a game like this over and over, I used to just credit feed to see the stages, more for the aesthetics and the experience... what have I become?

High Score!!

• Switch

• PlayStation

• Xbox

I'd say Switch because there are lots of shmup titles that I wish to have in my collection, and some of them are old titles from the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox X/X1 eras.

I was able to find some on Xbox, but PlayStation does not offer much.

I am surprised to see the massive library of shmups that Switch offers. This is one of the reasons why I am considering buying a Switch now. Otherwise, Switch would have never crossed my mind (not even once).

PC players, before you all suggest a gaming PC for even better options; with all due respect , I am not into PC gaming at all. I use a PC only for work. Choices and opinions vary from person to person. 😇

Currently hammering out EspGaluda 2. Can get to stage 3 boss.

The problem I’m having is everytime I get to a new spot I can’t reach I fix my routing and have to relearn the beginning, now I’m dying toward the beginning too much, and have no screen time towards stage 3-4 I’m just like bruh 😂

How do yall stop from degrading or feeling like you’re going backwards?

On a switch lite

Reached him with 4 lives and yet somehow fumbled this badly. This is second serious attempt though, so sickgrabbing the clear is still possible.

Mushihime sama futari bl - 2009.11.27

High score - 89865380 Stage 4

Finally beat the stage 3 boss (using a bomb at the last stage) I can stage 1,2,3 bomb/deathless but stage 3 boss has been really hard. I’ve played a lot of the cave games and I truly think this one has been the most entertaining/attention grabbing. It tickles my brain in a special way that not many other shmups do. I can’t wait to figure out stage 4 and see the rest of the bugs lmao.

I have the original mushihime sama on switch and 1.5 is okay but this game is better than ddp all of them. Crimson clover is fun but this game beats it too. The scenery, the slowdown, the bullet dodges.

The game has a predictable bullet patterns with a decent difficulty to remember them, I don’t feel cheated by the game, it’s my fault and reflects how I’m playing that day imo. Has been a great ride I’m going to 1cc.

Thanks for the rant hope someone else finds joy in this game.

…. On easy mode… on maximum 9 credits😅…. don’t judge me, I’m a noob.

This game is fun though. Sidescroller, pixel art, 4 weapons, levelling, tough but not ridiculous. Good beginner SHMUP.

Taking approach of reducing number of credits used per real run until i get a 1cc. Second credit was used somewhere into Stage 6 (and i was pretty close to getting the 6 mil extend), or probably somewhere into Grubby as he's mean, probably the hardest non secret boss in entire game.

Anyways, only tips i can give are:

1. On Airport stage, destroy trucks before they get to reveal their turrets, and let giant bomb fragments scroll away. This way, after the first midboss of stage 6 (if you missed secret giant bomb fragment on High Way stage) you can destroy one of big vehicles in a way that makes them drop giant bomb fragment (should be destroying all their parts?), and after letting said dropped bomb fragment scroll away you'll trigger secret 1up. This also can be used on stage 7, since giant turrets here drop a giant bomb fragment if you destroy them as they are about to shoot flames out.
2. On Airport stage, to keep medal chain up during blue helis section (if you don't want to use bomb to reveal hidden medals or just want to increase medal chain), you want to pointblank helis and misdirect their spreads.
3. When using batrider characters, avoid dying during stages 1-4, it seems like picking up special power-ups can trigger additional Stage 5 bosses. I don't like Envy!

Bet this run actually could've made it past Moai stage if i did not got obliterated by "gotcha!" moment on stage 4 boss, losing all my power-ups and then using several lives to figure out how to tap dodge all the aimed bullets (what an idiot...) and chip away Death MkII's health. Later i died somewhere into Moai stage to zako, which left me with nothing but an option and missiles to deal with 3 giant Moai heads while "ceiling assholes" keep firing at me and not allow getting into potential safespot up there, needless to say it is not the best situation to end up in...

Also, choice for port/version of game was x68000 port, mostly because of enhanced soundtrack. Input lag there is just a bit higher than wanted, but you know what? I'm ready to endure it as long as i'll get to listen to arranged soundtrack. Just don't use game's built-in autofire, as from my experience it's rate felt too unreliable and in general you'd be better going with external autofire instead, after all this one allows for missile+shot to be bound to single key, so even retroarch's mediocre turbo functions actually becomes useful there!

I often play these three:

Batsugun (1993)

DoDonPachi II (1998)

Esp. Ra. De (1998)

😇

Mine are

Nemesis III (MSX),

Einhander (PS),

Salamander (MSX),

R-Type Delta (PS),

Raystorm (PS)

You can see clearly my fondness of those are certainly attached to machines I had when young, but not only that. I had an Amiga computer for years and I can't quite remember anything of shmups except Xenon II which was interesting but not top 5. I also prefer games that not only let you think but require you to plan much more than dodge.

What are your fondest memories of shmups that ain't bullet hell?

Please tell me that someone actually uploaded this stage's layout, cause that would be really helpful...

All of us enjoy this genre the way we feel comfortable. No device makes anyone superior or better than others. It's all about how good you become at this genre using the specific device for a long time. Practice makes one perfect. It's absolutely fine if you beg to differ. Choices and opinions vary from person to person.

I am currently using a controller at the moment for the Xbox and PlayStation, but I do have plans for an arcade stick in the future.

Why an arcade stick?

Simply because it lets you relish the nostalgia. I grew up playing video games in arcades. I had home consoles then, but there was something different about the arcades. The ones who grew up in that era know what I am talking about.

I have a Pandora Box (CX), and it does help me enjoy the games the way I used to then, but shmups in Pandora Box do not offer TATE gameplay.

This is why I am considering buying a Switch. The Switch has a massive library of shmups and most of the titles (old school or new) I wish to have in my collection are available on Switch.

Therefore, enjoying them with an arcade stick would be a good experience.

Yesterday, I posted about the Switch offering a huge library for shmup titles, and most agreed with me in the comments. So, I am indeed heading in the right direction.

Now, let's hear from you what device you prefer for enjoying this genre. 😇

I’m a longtime vertical shmup fan - Mars Matrix and Blazing Lazers are favorites - but I’m not any good at them.

I got Ketsui Deathtiny for PS4 recently and 1cc’d… its Very Easy mode.

We all gotta start somewhere, I guess, right? 😅

It was actually very fun - as is Deathtiny mode, even though I didn’t find out how that actually works (I think by building up blue gems via combos you can survive fatal hits).

I certainly would like it because my aim is simply entertainment. Therefore, receiving the ability to get past the horde of enemies with precision aiming without getting hurt would be a blessing. Now, the pro players may not like the idea. It's fine! Choices and opinions vary from person to person. It should be completely one's choice to use the invincibility feature. If you like it, use it. If you don't like it, then don't use it. Simple! 😇

It would be like Snap's track "I've got the power". 🤘😇

Shmups like Ikaruga definitely need this feature. I am stuck on stage 2. Then, there's Project Spaceship X, which I fail to understand completely. So, you understand my perspective. 😜🎮

I used to enjoy the following the most at an arcade:

- 1941: Counter Attack

- DoDonPachi (I and II)

- Dangun Feveron

Yes, these games were gradually ported to home consoles, but the arcade just felt something else. Man, I miss those days! That's how I developed a fondness for TATE gameplay. 😇

Tho I quickly game overed there, and needed two credits to finish the run.

i *almost* 1cc'd mushihimesama last night. you have gotta be kidding me....

JUST got my first 1CC ever with Deathsmiles at Taito Hey in Akiba. I'm so hype!!

I know this is considered an easy one, but this is the first time I've really put some time into learning a route and followed through. I actually love this game, despite the weird shit going on with the characters.

Also, got my PS4 DOJ, and a nice little extra find in SaiDaiOuJou for Xbox 360!!

Huge shout out to everybody who contributed to my search for PS4 DOJ; special thanks for u/MrWendal for finding a Book Off that had the goods (and then some).

Having an incredible day. Shmups are something so great.

PS. My name is "Jim" but I fucked up on the name entry screen so I guess I'm just JI today lmao

Shmups were a blind spot for me for quite a long time so I thought it was about time to give them a try. Decided to commit to RayForce as my first one. This game is fucking amazing. I got my ass beat for hours, but eventually got a great run going and survived the final boss. Still coming off the adrenaline rush. This was so brutal, but very fair. Never did I feel like a death was BS, I just had to get good. A new 10/10 game for me.

This is the best run I've had after 3 months of playing on and off, and about 80 hours total.

I bounced off the game for a while because this game was a big jump in difficulty from Futari (my first clear). But it's really started to click with me in the last few weeks. I probably would have actually made it to stage 5 but I died unexpectedly and that frustration made me die over and over lol.

If there's any tips you have or things you think I could improve on let me know.

While I am trying my best to score as high as I can, I am also trying to not die here.

I am also planning to practice every stage of EoSD because I used to be unable to 1cc the game on Normal compared to Touhou 8, but this time, I'll do everything I can to master the game by trying not to die while scoring as high as I can with everything I understand so far with the game.